Young spaces
Each year generates its share of new players in the market. In 2021, young art places stood out. For example, the dynamic Jano Lapin gallery in Verdun, with its exhibitions, artist studios and four artist residences funded with support from the Caisses Desjardins. Curator Eli Kerr has had great success with his tiny Parc Offsite gallery on avenue du Parc. The small contemporary art space Produces Nothing, created by artists Karen Trask and Paul Litherland, in Mile-Ex, continues its activities with regular exhibitions. In Center-Sud, Cache Studio, by Eric Carlos Bertrand and Stephanie Cambria, also continues its path with exhibitions by talented artists such as Rosalie Gamache and Sébastien Gaudette.
PHOTO CATHERINE LEFEBVRE, THE PRESS
The artist Milutin Gubash in front of one of his works
The life of an artist … free
For artists not represented by galleries, the year 2021 has not always been easy. Selling on the internet has worked for a few, but nothing beats gallery visibility. “I had a decent year, supported by several artistic grants,” says artist Aquil Virani. But more and more artist friends have part-time jobs. Our work is undervalued in our society. COVID-19 has depleted our collective mental health, which does not create a thriving environment. But there are sometimes good stories among “free” artists. As for the resilient Milutin Gubash, with his exhibition at MACLAU, The Magician’s Hand in the Cold Light of Day, little seen because of the pandemic, but which allowed him to sell the entire installation to a great Quebec collector. “The biggest acquisition of my work, with or without a gallery, and I’m very proud that it happened without a gallery,” he says.
SOTHEBY’S PHOTO
The sale of the Macklowe collection by Sotheby’s
Dear auctions
On November 15, Sotheby’s sold part of the collection of American real estate magnate Harry Macklowe for US $ 676 million and raised another 233 million three days later with another sale. Impressive results. All the auction houses did gold business in 2021. “The art market has been growing since the start of the pandemic,” says artist Marc Séguin. Unlike other arts, there were few health restrictions. Perhaps the state of affairs has ‘materialized’ this need for art and culture of museums and collectors. ”
EXTRACT FROM THE DIGITAL WORK THE MERGE
In December, a new NFT sales record was set, with US $ 91.8 million for the acquisition of The merge, the NFT series by anonymous artist Pak.
Digital art and NFT
The year 2021 saw digital art explode in popularity, with the expansion of NFT works. As if a bicentennial art market had taken a 180-degree turn at Christie’s in March. In December, a new NFT sales record was set, with US $ 91.8 million for the acquisition of The merge, the NFT series by anonymous artist Pak. A sale that exceeds that of The First 5000 Days, by artist Beeple, last May. A very original sale since 28,984 amateurs bought digital units of The merge which, put together, form the work! The units sold for between US $ 299 and US $ 570 each. This sale exceeds that of 2019 for the stainless steel sculpture Rabbit by Jeff Koons, sold for 91 million. “Some artists resulting from this technological boom have done well,” says gallery owner Yves Laroche.
PHOTO SARAH MONGEAU-BIRKETT, THE PRESS
View of the Papier Fair, at the Grand Quai of the Old Port of Montreal, in November
Paper Fair
The Papier 2021 fair, both physical and virtual, was crowned with laurels. Very well organized, from November 26 to 28, at the Grand Quai in Montreal, it welcomed 8,000 people face-to-face and 21,000 online, an increase of 16% compared to 2020. This 14e edition, which contained 35 galleries exhibiting the works of 400 artists, achieved sales of 1.5 million. More than twice the figure of the virtual edition of 2020. Private collectors account for 78% of sales, the rest going to corporate and institutional collections. A promising sign for contemporary art, new clients represent 75% of sales. Excellent news for the industry.